Brian Westbrook Taking His Talents to San Francisco

Free agent running back Brian Westbrook has signed a one year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Brian Westbrook is an 8 year veteran of the NFL, that has seen his fair share of injuries, including last season where he suffered two concussions and missed a total of 8 games while only rushing for 274 yards while playing with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Westbrook had this to say in regards to his injury plagued 2009 season:

“A lot of people, they don’t understand. The way to heal is to rest, they don’t realize I didn’t have any time to rehab or to just train for last season. That’s why I know this season is gonna be different, because I’ve got time to work out, time to get in shape, time to train, time to be the best player I can be. There’s no doubt about it when I go out and I’m healthy. This year I’m healthy. No excuses.”

Westbrook had been linked to other teams such as the Redskins, Rams, and more recently the Bills due to injuries to Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson.

Signing with San Francisco gives the 49ers a replacement for Glen Coffee who surprised everyone with his retirement earlier this week. Westbrook will be a nice change of pace back from the bruising Frank Gore and can also create nightmarish defensive match-ups if he comes out of the backfield into the slot in certain passing situations.

Signing Westbrook will give Alex Smith and the 49ers offense yet another weapon; let’s just hope that Westbrook will stay healthy enough this season for the 49ers to fully utilize him.